Fast charging support

Whether you're a new EV owner or a seasoned pro, we have helpful info below about our fast charger network. Use this info when you're at one of our charging stations or before you hit the road.

If you are having troubles with your fast charge and need customer support, please call BC Hydro at 1 866 338 3369.

New for 2019: BC Hydro's fast charging app and RFID card

BC Hydro is rolling out two new options for charging at BC Hydro fast charging stations in 2019, a newly-launched BC Hydro EV mobile app, and a BC Hydro EV RFID card you can use to start charging without mobile access. Download the BC Hydro EV app at the App Store.

For the spring of 2019, the BC Hydro EV App and RFID card will work at BC Hydro stations formerly on the Flo network (mainly in the Kootenays). By the end of the summer, access will be extended to most stations on the BC Hydro network, including those currently carrying the Greenlots sticker.

Basic information for new electric vehicle (EV) users

Fast charging stations support the two global standard fast charge connectors; the Combo (CCS) and CHAdeMO. You can charge your EV at a fast charging station if either of these connectors can plug into your car.

Some vehicles, such as select Tesla models, require an adaptor to plug into fast charging stations. The Model 3 in North America Tesla uses the standard proprietary triangular Tesla connector and can only charge at Tesla stations.

On average, it will take about an hour to fully charge your car. This can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of your car battery and the capabilities of your car. Every make and model is different, and you’ll get to know your car after you’ve used a fast charging station a few times.

At public fast charging stations, we recommend you limit your charging time to 30 to 40 minutes to minimize the waiting time for others who need to charge.

There's currently a range of prices at B.C. charging stations. Some stations charge $0.35/kwh while some stations in the city of Vancouver charge an hourly rate of $12/hour. Some stations are still free of charge. Check station signage for the current fees, or use PlugShare to find out before you go.

Note that rates at fast charging stations don’t include parking fees. Be sure to check signage or PlugShare to see if a specific station requires payment for parking:

Here are some general etiquette guidelines you can follow to help create a positive experience for all members of the EV community:

Take only what you need and limit your charge to 30 to 40 minutes.

Stay close by in case so you can move your car once you are done charging.

Only park in an EV-designated charging stall if you’re charging or waiting to charge.

Don’t unplug another vehicle unless the owner has indicated it is okay (check to see if they left a note on their dashboard or on PlugShare), or if the charging station indicates the vehicle is fully charged to 100%.

When you’re done, neatly put the charging cord away so that people don’t trip or drive over it.

Keep the station tidy.

Be respectful and help your fellow drivers out. If you see a neighbouring EV with its charge port open, plug it in once your charge is complete. Note that this only applies in situations where charging is free.

Before you go to the fast charging station

The PlugShare map and mobile app can be used to find a charging station.

This is an international crowd-sourced tool that shows the locations of EV chargers that can be filtered by region, plug type, and network. You don’t need to register to use PlugShare unless you’d like to check in at a charging station location and leave notes for others.

The PlugShare map and mobile app can be used to find information about the availability of a charging station.

This is an international crowd-sourced tool that is updated by EV users who voluntarily contribute. Like any crowd-sourced tool, the information may sometimes be out-of-date, but users often indicate when a station is unavailable.

You don’t need to register to use PlugShare unless you’d like to check in at a charging station location and leave notes for others.

Starting the charge

Unless the connector is locked to the station, begin by removing the connector from the station and plugging it into your car. If the connector is locked, you will need to initiate the charge first, and then plug the connector into your car once it is released.

There are 3 methods you can use to start a charge.

Use the appropriate mobile application for the specific fast charging station.

The PlugShare map and mobile app can be used to check whether a specific station charges a fee (see image below). The Greenlots and FLO mobile apps will also indicate rates for specific charging stations.

You will also be prompted when you try to start a charge if payment is needed.

In many cases, the network-specific mobile application can be used at a fast charging station instead of an RFID card.

However; we recommend also having a network-specific RFID card for cases in which you are unable to access the mobile app (e.g. your phone battery dies, or you’re in an area where you don’t have mobile/internet connectivity).

If you don’t have a network-specific card (such as the FLO or Greenlots card), you can download the network-specific mobile app. Check the fast charging station to see if it is on the Greenlots or FLO network, and download the appropriate mobile app.

If you would like to order a network-specific card, you can register at either the Greenlots of FLO network websites (depending on which charging stations you would like to use), and order a card from within your account.

Here are some general etiquette guidelines you can follow to help create a positive experience for all members of the EV community:

Take only what you need and limit your charge to 30 to 40 minutes.

Stay close by in case you need to move your vehicle to let someone else charge.

Only park in an EV-designated charging stall if you’re charging or waiting to charge.

Don’t unplug another vehicle unless the owner has indicated it is okay.
Look for a note saying it’s okay to unplug or wait until the vehicle is almost fully charged. Otherwise, don’t unplug another driver’s vehicle.

If their vehicle is fully charged, carefully remove the plug from it and use it to charge your own, or hang it up and put it away if using the other connector.

When you’re done, neatly put the charging cord away so that people don’t trip or drive over it.

Keep the station tidy.

Be respectful and help your fellow drivers out. If you see a neighbouring EV with its charge port open, plug it in once your charge is complete. Note that this only applies in situations where charging is free.

To remove the connector once your charge is done, pull the connector out of the vehicle. Depending on the plug type, you may need to push a button in order to release the connector before pulling it out.